Cordyline plant named ‘Cha Cha’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Cordyline  plant named ‘Cha Cha’ that is characterized by a compact habit and linear shaped variegated leaves that are grey-orange with green margins when young and mature to yellow with green margins.

Botanical classification: Cordyline australis.

Variety denomination: ‘Cha Cha’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCordyline australis and is hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name‘Cha Cha’. The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in acultivated area of Kihikihi, Waikato, New Zealand in 2007. The newcultivar was discovered as a single plant in a bed of unidentifiedCordyline australis cultivars. The exact parent plants are unknown.

The new cultivar was first asexually propagated by tissue culture inAuckland, New Zealand in 2007. Since that time, under carefulobservation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have beenuniform, stable and reproduced true to type by tissue culture insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Cordyline ‘Cha Cha’ is distinguished from other known varietiesof Cordyline, by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Cordyline ‘Cha Cha’ exhibits a compact habit.    -   2. Cordyline ‘Cha Cha’ exhibits linear shaped leaves    -   3. Cordyline ‘Cha Cha’ exhibits variegated leaves that when        young are grey-orange with green margins and mature to yellow        with green margins.

The closest comparison cultivar is Cordyline ‘Abertii’ (not patented).‘Cha Cha’ is distinguishable from ‘Albertii’ in having a more compacthabit and variegated leaves that are grey-orange with green margins whenyoung and mature to yellow with green margins. The leaves of ‘Albertii’are green with yellow margins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photograph illustrates the distinguishingcharacteristics of the new cultivar ‘Cha Cha’.

The photograph shows an overall view of a 2 year old plant.

All photographs are taken using conventional photographic techniques andalthough foliage colors may appear different from actual colors due tolight reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventionalphotography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the Cordyline cultivar named‘Cha Cha’. Data was collected in Kihikihi, Waikato, New Zealand from 2year old plants. The plants were grown outdoors in 2.5 liter containersunder 50 percent shade house cover. The time of year was late Winter inthe Southern Hemisphere. Phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, withouthowever, any difference in genotype. Color determinations are inaccordance with The 2001 Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart exceptwhere general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.The growing requirements are similar to the species and no diseaseproblems have been observed.

-   Botanical classification: Cordyline australis ‘Cha Cha’.-   Common name: Cabbage Tree.-   Parentage: The exact parent plants of ‘Cha Cha’ are unknown.-   Type: Ornamental perennial.-   Growth rate: Approximately 6 cm. per month.-   Habit: Upright, arching.-   Height: 1.5 m. in height.-   Spread: 1.0 m. in width.-   Low temperature tolerance: −5 degrees Centigrade.-   High temperature tolerance: 40 degrees Centigrade.-   Propagation method: Tissue Culture.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Stem:    -   -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Dimensions.—Average 2.5 cm. in diameter and 5 cm. in length.        -   Color.—N167B.-   Foliage:    -   -   Orientation.—Initially erect to outwardly arching.        -   Average number of leaves per plant.—48.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Leaf shape.—Linear.        -   Leaf dimensions.—Average 50 cm. in length and 20 mm. in            width.        -   Leaf apex.—Acute.        -   Leaf base.—Attenuate.        -   Leaf margins.—Entire.        -   Leaf texture.—Upper and lower surfaces: Smooth.        -   Leaf substance.—Leathery.        -   Leaf color of young leaves (upper surface).—172B with            central longitudinal stripes N137A and margins N137A.        -   Leaf color of young leaves (lower surface).—N172D with            central longitudinal stripes N137B and margins 137B.        -   Leaf color of mature leaves (upper surface).—151A with            central longitudinal stripes 137B and margins 137B.        -   Leaf color of mature leaves (lower surface).—151A with            central longitudinal stripes 137B and margins 137B.        -   Venation pattern.—Parallel.        -   Petiole.—Absent.        -   Pinching.—Removal of young plant tips is not required.-   Flower production: ‘Cha-Cha’ has not produced any flowers to date.-   Disease and pest resistance: No disease problems have been observed.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Cordylineplant named ‘Cha Cha’ as described and illustrated.